Double hinge radial cams

ABSTRACT

In embodiments of double hinge radial cams, a portable device includes a first housing integrated with a display device, and a second housing movably coupled to the first housing. The first housing is operable to open and close relative to the second housing, and the first and second housings can be rotated from a closed position at approximately zero degrees (0°) to an open position at approximately one-hundred and eighty degrees (180°). A double hinge is operable to movably couple the first housing and the second housing. The double hinge includes radial cams that apply a holding torque in the open position that resists the first and second housings closing.

BACKGROUND

Mobile phones and portable devices are increasingly common, and manyinclude dual displays and/or a display device that opens and closesrelative to a handheld base of a device. For example, a mobile computerdevice can be hinged to open two display devices, each integrated into aside or half of the device housing. However, hinge mechanisms caninclude relatively complex rotating hinges and hardware components toposition the display screens for use. Hinge mechanisms can also beobtrusive when configured between display devices and/or may take upspace that would otherwise be utilized to implement a larger displaydevice. Users typically want the smallest possible devices toconveniently carry in a pocket or purse, but also want devices withlarger display surfaces.

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce simplified concepts of doublehinge radial cams that is further described below in the DetailedDescription. This summary is not intended to identify essential featuresof the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended for use in determiningthe scope of the claimed subject matter.

Double hinge radial cams are described. In embodiments, a portabledevice includes a first housing integrated with a display device, and asecond housing movably coupled to the first housing. The first housingis operable to open and close relative to the second housing, and thefirst and second housings can be rotated from a closed position atapproximately zero degrees (0°) to an open position at approximatelyone-hundred and eighty degrees (180°). A double hinge is operable tomovably couple the first housing and the second housing. The doublehinge includes radial cams that apply a holding torque in the openposition that resists the first and second housings closing.

In other embodiments, the second housing of the portable device isintegrated with an additional display device, and the display device andthe additional display device can be positioned adjacent each other as asurface display in the open position of the first and second housings.Correspondingly, the display devices are viewable from opposite sides ofthe portable device in the closed position of the first and secondhousings (also referred to herein as an anti-book mode). The doublehinge includes a hinge link that couples the radial cams, and the hingelink is designed for installation into the first and second housings ofthe portable device. The radial cams each include a cam and a camfollower. One of the cams is integrated with the hinge link and thesecond cam is removable from the hinge link. The second cam can beassembled into the hinge link after the hinge link is installed into thefirst and second housings of the portable device.

In other embodiments, the double hinge is operable with a firstactuation and a second actuation to sequence opening the first andsecond housings, and to reverse-sequence closing the first and secondhousings. The radial cams of the double hinge include cam-and-followermechanisms, one of which opens a first half of the double hinge withless applied torque before a second half of the double hinge opens, andcloses the first half of the double hinge before the second half of thedouble hinge closes. A cam face of one of the cam followers has adifferent shape than the other cam follower, and the different shape ofthe cam follower is operable on a cam to apply less torque.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of double hinge radial cams are described with reference tothe following drawings. The same numbers are used throughout thedrawings to reference like features and components:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of double hinge radial cams in accordancewith one or more embodiments.

FIG. 2 illustrates another example of the double hinge radial cams inaccordance with one or more embodiments.

FIG. 3 illustrates a torque chart for double hinge radial cams inaccordance with one or more embodiments.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a portable device implemented withdouble hinge radial cams in accordance with one or more embodiments.

FIG. 5 illustrates example method(s) of double hinge radial cams inaccordance with one or more embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Double hinge radial cams are described. In embodiments, the double hingeallows a portable device, such as mobile phone or computer device, withtwo housing sections to open to a flat position. The radial cams areoriented for radial actuation, and can be implemented for afriction/detent motion or for an overcenter/bistable motion. The doublehinge is operable to open and close a first housing of a device relativeto a second housing of the device, and the housing sections can berotated from a closed position at approximately zero degrees (0°) to anopen position at approximately one-hundred and eighty degrees (180°).The radial cams of the double hinge apply a holding torque in the openposition that resists the housings closing, such as from a touch inputto a display device. Additionally, the double hinges can be installed ina device and hidden from view. The radial design provides that a devicecan be designed shorter, and the hinge mechanisms are installed underthe display devices, which also allows that a device can be designedthinner.

While features and concepts of the described systems and methods fordouble hinge radial cams can be implemented in any number of differentenvironments, systems, devices, and/or various configurations,embodiments of double hinge radial cams are described in the context ofthe following example devices, systems, and configurations.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of double hinge radial cams 100 inaccordance with embodiments described herein. The double hinge radialcams include a hinge link 102, as well as two cam-and-followermechanisms 104, 106. The hinge link has an integrated cam 108 (e.g.,molded or constructed as an integral component of the hinge link), andhas a removable cam 110. The first cam-and-follower mechanism 104includes a cam follower 112 and the removable cam 110. Similarly, thesecond cam-and-follower mechanism 106 includes a cam follower 114 andthe integrated cam 108. The first cam-and-follower mechanism 104 alsoincludes a tensioner spring 116, and the second cam-and-followermechanism 106 includes a tensioner spring 118. The tensioner springspush the respective cam followers against cam lobes of the correspondingthe radial cams.

The removable cam 110 has a cam lobe 120 that actuates against a camface 122 of the first cam follower 112. Similarly, the integrated cam108 has a cam lobe 124 that actuates against a cam face 126 of thesecond cam follower 114. A force vector having a force and a directionof the force is created where a cam lobe contacts a cam face of a camfollower, and the shape of the cam and the cam follower change the forcevector and the applied torque. In an alternate embodiment, the doublehinge can be implemented as a friction hinge, and the cam-and-followermechanisms are operable to actuate based on friction between a cam and acam face of a cam follower. A torsion bar 128 couples the hinge link 102to a second hinge link (not shown), such as when two of the double hingeradial cams are installed in a portable device (e.g., on opposite endsor sides of the portable device). The double hinge can be implemented asa bistable hinge mechanism that is operable with a first actuation at130 and a second actuation at 132 to sequence opening, and is thenoperable to reverse-sequence when closing.

The first cam-and-follower mechanism 104 opens the first half of thedouble hinge (e.g., at 130) with less applied torque before the secondcam-and-follower mechanism 106 opens the second half of the double hinge(e.g., at 132). The first cam-and-follower mechanism 104 also closes thefirst half of the double hinge with less applied torque before thesecond cam-and-follower mechanism 106 closes the second half of thedouble hinge. In an implementation, the cam face 122 of the first camfollower 112 is a different shape than the second cam follower 114, andthe shape difference of the cam face 122 is operable on the cam 110 toapply less torque. The sequence of opening the double hinge, and thereverse-sequencing of closing the double hinge, is further describedwith reference to the torque chart shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 2 further illustrates the double hinge radial cams in accordancewith embodiments described herein. The double hinge radial cams 100shown in FIG. 1 are installed in a hinge chassis 200, and hingecomponents described with reference to FIG. 1 are identified in FIG. 2.The hinge chassis has a first half 202 and a second half 204, bothdesigned to attach to housing sections of a portable device. For examplethe first half 202 of the hinge chassis attaches to a first housing of aportable device, and the second half 204 of the hinge chassis attachesto a second housing of the portable device. The double hinge radial camsare then operable to open and close the first and second housings of theportable device relative to each other from a closed position atapproximately zero degrees (0°) to an open position at approximatelyone-hundred and eighty degrees (180°).

FIG. 3 illustrates a torque chart 300 for double hinge radial cams inaccordance with embodiments described herein. The torque chartillustrates the torque (in Newton-millimeters) as the double hinge isopened from a closed position at a hinge angle of zero degrees (0°) toan open position at a hinge angle of one-hundred and eighty degrees(180°), and then back to the closed position at the hinge angle of zerodegrees (0°). The portable device is closed at 302 (hinge angle 0°), anda force is applied to begin opening the first and second housings of thedevice relative to each other. Between approximately thirty degrees(30°) and eighty degrees (80°), the radial cams are designed to providea smooth, consistent open torque, and then the device opens by itself toa first detent at 304 (hinge angle 90°). When a force is again applied(torque between 304 and 306), the first and second housings continueopening at 306. Between approximately one-hundred and twenty degrees(120°) and one-hundred and seventy degrees (170°), the radial cams aredesigned to again provide a smooth, consistent open torque, and then thedevice opens by itself to a second detent at 308 (hinge angle 180°).

In the open position at 308, the radial cams of the double hinge applythe holding torque that resists the first and second housings closingresponsive to a touch input to a display device implemented as atouch-screen display. When a force is again applied (torque between 308and 310), the first and second housings begin reverse-sequence closingrelative to each other. Between approximately one-hundred and seventydegrees (170°) and one-hundred and twenty degrees (120°), the radialcams provide a smooth, consistent close torque, and then the devicecloses by itself to the detent at 312 (hinge angle 90°). When a force isagain applied (torque between 312 and 314), the first and secondhousings continue closing at 314. Between approximately eighty degrees(80°) and thirty degrees (30°), the radial cams are designed to againprovide a smooth, consistent close torque, and then the device closes byitself to the detent at 316 (hinge angle 0°).

FIG. 4 illustrates examples of a portable device 400 that can beimplemented to include double hinge radial cams in accordance withembodiments described herein. In embodiments, the portable device may beany form of a consumer, computer, user, communication, phone,navigation, television, appliance, gaming, media playback, and/orelectronic device. In a first view 402, the portable device 400 is shownin a closed position. The portable device 400 has a first housing 404with an integrated display device 406, and also has a second housing 408that may include a physical keyboard or an additional display device 410(e.g., on the underside of the portable device as shown in thisexample). Correspondingly, the display devices are viewable fromopposite sides of the portable device in the closed position of thefirst and second housings (also referred to herein as an anti-bookmode).

The first housing 404 is movably coupled to the second housing 408 bythe double hinge radial cams 412, installed in the device between thedisplay devices and operable to open from the closed position atapproximately zero degrees (0°) to an open position at approximatelyone-hundred and eighty degrees (180°). In a second view 414, theportable device 400 is shown in the open position, such as when thesecond housing 408 is rotated around and up at 416 to position thedisplay device 406 and the additional display device 410 adjacent eachother to form a surface display 418 (e.g., the two display devicesappear as one larger display surface). In the open position, the doublehinge radial cams are not visible, and are designed to allow the displaydevices coming together in the open position.

In embodiments, the double hinge radial cams 412 apply a holding torquein the open position that resists the first and second housings closingresponsive to a touch input 420 to the display device. For example, oneor both of the display devices may be integrated touch-screen displays,and the touch input 420 to the touch-screen is a directional force thatthe radial cams resist to hold the first and second housings of theportable device in the open position.

In a third view 422, an outer casing 424 of the second housing 408 isshown to illustrate an installation feature of the double hinge radialcams 412 into the first and second housings of the portable device. Thecasing of the second housing has hinge slots 426 through which each ofthe hinge links 102 are inserted before being attached to the other halfof the double hinge (that is then attached to the first housing).Referring the FIG. 1, the removable cam 110 is designed for installationinto the hinge link 102 after the hinge link is installed into the firstand second housings of the portable device. This facilitates a narrowerhinge slot 426, which is just wide enough to accommodate the width ofthe hinge link, rather than the combined width of both the hinge linkand the cam. The narrower slots in the casing of the housing are moreresistant to debris intrusion into the portable device, and the smalleror narrower hinge slots better maintain the structural integrity of thehousing.

FIG. 5 illustrates example method(s) 500 of double hinge radial cams.The order in which the method blocks are described are not intended tobe construed as a limitation, and any number of the described methodblocks can be combined in any order to implement a method, or analternate method.

At block 502, a first housing of a portable device is opened relative toa second housing of the portable device in a sequence. For example, thedouble hinge radial cams 412 (FIG. 4) open the first housing 404 of theportable device 400 relative to the second housing 408 of the portabledevice in a sequence. The first and second housings are operable to openand close relative to each other from a closed position at approximatelyzero degrees (0°) to an open position at approximately one-hundred andeighty degrees (180°). The sequence to open the first and secondhousings relative to each other include a first half of a double hingeopening with less applied torque before a second half of the doublehinge opens. In an implementation, less torque is applied to acam-and-follower mechanism of the first half of the double hinge tosequence opening the first and second housings of the portable device.The radial cams of the double hinge are operable for a first actuationto open the first half of the double hinge before the second half of thedouble hinge opens.

At block 504, a display device that is integrated in the first housingof the portable device is positioned adjacent to an additional displaydevice that is integrated in the second housing of the portable device.For example, the double hinge radial cams 412 are designed to positionthe display device 406 and the additional display device 410 adjacenteach other to form the surface display 418 (e.g., the two displaydevices appear as one larger display surface) in the open position.

At block 506, a holding torque is applied in the open position thatresists the first and second housings closing responsive to an input toa display device. For example, the double hinge radial cams 412 apply aholding torque in the open position that resists the first and secondhousings closing responsive to an input 420 to the display device. Forexample, one or both of the display devices may be integratedtouch-screen displays, and the touch input 420 to the touch-screen is adirectional force that the radial cams resist to hold the first andsecond housings of the portable device in the open position.

At block 508, the first housing of the portable device is closedrelative to the second housing of the portable device in areverse-sequence. For example, the double hinge radial cams 412 closethe first housing 404 of the portable device 400 relative to the secondhousing 408 of the portable device in a reverse sequence. The reversesequence includes the first half of the double hinge closing before thesecond half of the double hinge closes. Less torque is applied to thecam-and-follower mechanism of the first half of the double hinge toreverse-sequence closing the first and second housings of the portabledevice. The radial cams of the double hinge are operable for a secondactuation to close the first half of the double hinge before the secondhalf of the double hinge closes.

Although embodiments of double hinge radial cams have been described inlanguage specific to features and/or methods, the subject of theappended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features ormethods described. Rather, the specific features and methods aredisclosed as example implementations of double hinge radial cams.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A portable device, comprising: a first housing integrated with a display device; a second housing movably coupled to the first housing, which is operable to open and close relative to the second housing, the first and second housings configurable from a closed position at approximately zero degrees)(0°) to an open position at approximately one-hundred and eighty degrees (180°); a double hinge operable to movably couple the first housing and the second housing, the double hinge comprising radial cams configured to apply a holding torque in the open position that resists the first and second housings closing; the radial cams of the double hinge comprising cam-and-follower mechanisms, one of which opens a first half of the double hinge with less applied torque before a second half of the double hinge opens, and closes the first half of the double hinge before the second half of the double hinge closes; and a cam face of a first cam follower comprising a different shape than a second cam follower, the cam face operable on a radial cam to apply the less applied torque.
 2. A portable device as recited in claim 1, wherein the second housing is integrated with an additional display device, and wherein the display device and the additional display device are configurable adjacent each other as a surface display in the open position.
 3. A portable device as recited in claim 2, wherein the display devices are viewable from opposite sides of the portable device in the closed position of the first and second housings.
 4. A portable device as recited in claim 1, wherein the double hinge is operable with a first actuation and a second actuation to sequence opening the first and second housings, and further operable to reverse sequence closing the first and second housings.
 5. A portable device as recited in claim 4, wherein the double hinge is operable as a bistable mechanism said opening the first and second housings, and said closing the first and second housings.
 6. A portable device as recited in claim 1, wherein the double hinge is configured as a friction hinge that comprises the cam-and-follower mechanisms operable to actuate based on friction between a cam and a cam face of a cam follower.
 7. A portable device as recited in claim 1, wherein: the double hinge comprises a hinge link configured to couple the radial cams, the hinge link further configured for installation into the first and second housings of the portable device; the radial cams each comprise a cam and a cam follower, a first cam integrated with the hinge link and a second cam configured removable from the hinge link; and the second cam further configured for installation in the hinge link after the hinge link is installed into the first and second housings of the portable device.
 8. A double hinge, comprising: a hinge chassis configured for attachment to a first housing of a portable device and a second housing of the portable device, the first and second housings operable to open and close relative to each other from a closed position at approximately zero degrees) (0°) to an open position at approximately one-hundred and eighty degrees) (180°); radial cams configured to apply a holding torque in the open position that resists the first and second housings closing responsive to a pressure input on a display device integrated into the first housing; the radial cams comprising cam-and-follower mechanisms, one of which opens a first half of the double hinge with less applied torque before a second half of the double hinge opens, and closes the first half of the double hinge before the second half of the double hinge closes; and a cam face of a first cam follower comprises a different shape than a second cam follower, the cam face operable on a radial cam to apply the less applied torque.
 9. A double hinge as recited in claim 8, wherein the radial cams are operable for a first actuation and a second actuation to sequence opening the first and second housings, and are further operable to reverse sequence closing the first and second housings.
 10. A double hinge as recited in claim 9, wherein the radial cams are operable as a bistable mechanism said opening the first and second housings, and said closing the first and second housings.
 11. A double hinge as recited in claim 8, wherein the double hinge is configured as a friction hinge that comprises the cam-and-follower mechanisms operable to actuate based on friction between a cam and a cam face of a cam follower.
 12. A double hinge as recited in claim 8, wherein: the double hinge further comprises a hinge link configured to couple the radial cams, the hinge link further configured for installation into the first and second housings of the portable device; the radial cams each comprise a cam and a cam follower, a first cam integrated with the hinge link and a second cam configured removable from the hinge link; and the second cam further configured for installation in the hinge link after the hinge link is installed into the first and second housings of the portable device.
 13. A double hinge as recited in claim 8, further comprising tensioner springs each configured to apply a force to push a cam follower against a respective radial cam of the double hinge.
 14. A method, comprising: opening a first housing of a portable device relative to a second housing of the portable device, the first and second housings operable to open relative to each other from a closed position at approximately zero degrees)(0°) to an open position at approximately one-hundred and eighty degrees)(180°); movably-coupling the first housing and the second housing with a double hinge that comprises radial cams configured for applying a holding torque in the open position that resists the first and second housings closing responsive to a pressure input on a display device integrated into the first housing, the radial cams of the double hinge comprising cam-and-follower mechanisms, one of which opens a first half of the double hinge with less applied torque before a second half of the double hinge opens, and closes the first half of the double hinge before the second half of the double hinge closes; and applying less torque to a cam-and-follower mechanism, a cam face of a first cam follower comprising a different shape than a second cam follower and the cam face operable on a radial cam to apply the less applied torque.
 15. A method as recited in claim 14, further comprising: closing the first housing of the portable device relative to the second housing of the portable device; sequencing said opening the first and second housings, the sequence comprising a first half of the double hinge said opening with the less applied torque before a second half of the double hinge opens; and reverse-sequencing said closing the first and second housings, the reverse sequence comprising the first half of the double hinge said closing before the second half of the double hinge closes.
 16. A method as recited in claim 15, wherein the radial cams of the double hinge are operable for a first actuation to open the first half of the double hinge before the second half of the double hinge opens, and the radial cams further operable for a second actuation to close the first half of the double hinge before the second half of the double hinge.
 17. A method as recited in claim 14, wherein the first and second housings of the portable device are movably-coupled with the double hinge that is operable as a bistable mechanism said opening the first and second housings relative to each other, and closing the first and second housings relative to each other.
 18. A method as recited in claim 14, wherein the first and second housings of the portable device are movably-coupled with the double hinge that is configured as a friction hinge that includes the cam-and-follower mechanisms operable to actuate based on friction between the radial cam and a cam follower.
 19. A method as recited in claim 14, further comprising coupling the radial cams of the double hinge with a hinge link configured for installation into the first and second housings of the portable device.
 20. A method as recited in claim 19, wherein: the first radial cam is integrated with the hinge link; and the second radial cam is configured removable from the hinge link and configured for installation in the hinge link after the hinge link is installed into the first and second housings of the portable device. 